Zytglogge

Bern's most famous time piece, the Zytglogge : Bern, CH

Bern's Altstadt (old town) features this clock, known as the Zytglogge (Swiss German for Zeitglocke, or time clock), which was constructed around 1218-1220. One of Bern's most recognizable symbols, it is a major tourist attraction. Crowds gather at the based of the clock around 6:00 anticipating a great show and ringing from the clock's works. In point of fact, it's a bit of a letdown. If you go to Bern, make a point of stopping to see what is certainly a beautiful work of art, but don't be anxious to see it strike at 6:00. There's not a lot to see. (Although, watching the tourists in anticipation is kind of fun. Next time I go to Bern, that's what I'll be photographing!) To see a few more photos of this clock tower, go here.


Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

Berner Münster

Gargoyles on the Berner Münster : Bern, CH

The Berner Münster, or Cathedral of Berne, is Switzerland's largest Gothic cathedral. Construction on the cathedral commenced in 1421 and was completed in 1893--a span of 472 years. Within 30 years of the founding of Bern (Swiss spelling), a chapel was built on the grounds where the current cathedral stands. Over the next five centuries, the building grew as the city grew. The church was originally Catholic, but as the years progressed switched to Protestant, which is what it is today. The cathedral's tower holds the largest bell in Switzerland: 10 tons in weight and 8 feet in diameter. The bell was cast in 1611. To hear the cathedral's seven bells, go here. To see more pictures of this edifice, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

lemp

lemp cafe bar : Bern, CH

A couple of weeks ago, during friend Rachel's stay, we visited Bern, Switzerland's capital city. The older part of town is comprised of arched walkways with shops tucked back from the street (arcades) or buried in cellars beneath the street. Tiny little alleys lead to fun little surprises, like this cafe. To see more photos of Bern by day, go here.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 10/10

100 Unnamed Strangers: Father and Son

 Father and Son : Rue Moufftard : Paris, FR

I meant to post this picture a couple of weeks ago. These two gentleman--obviously a father and son*--were watching the dancers and singers on the Rue Mouffetard. I snapped their photo, but didn't get their names. They have my card and I'm hoping, if they see their photo here, they'll leave their names and hometowns behind.

* I'd bet my right arm on two things: 1) they're Americans and 2) they're from New England.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Parisians

The Chic and the Austere : Parisians : Paris, FR

Paris is a fabulous place for photographing people. Over the course of four days, I photographed a wide variety of people in random situations. My favorite was this shot of a nun with two baguettes walking down the street next to a very chic Parisian woman. Maybe not necessarily quintessential Paris, but certainly worth a snap and a smile!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Rhapsody in Blue and Red on a Theme of Summer

Beautiful Blue Door : Random Paris : Paris, FR

Paris provides multiple opportunities for random photos of colorful doors, artistic grocers, and creative window designs.

 Perfectly polished and stacked cherries. Please pick from the top... : Random Paris : Paris, FR

Rhapsody in Blue and Red on a Theme of Summer : Random Paris : Paris, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Eiffel Tower

Typical tourist shot of Paris' most famous landmark--the Eiffel Tower  : Paris, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

La Fête de la Musique

A presentation of French regional music and dance : Jardin du Luxembourg : Paris, FR

From 21 June to 1 August, Paris hosts La Fête de la Musique with venues and a variety of music scattered at locations throughout the city. On our last day in Paris, we were walking through the gardens at the French Senate (Jardin du Luxembourg) and stopped to listen to this presentation of French regional folk music and dance.

 Detail on a performer's costume : La Fête de la Musique : Paris, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Cimetière du Montparnasse

Recumbent Crucifix : Cimetière du Montparnasse : Paris, FR

They say a visit to Paris isn't complete without a walk through the Cimetière du Montparnasse. So, that was done and can now be checked off the list!

 Pillar : Cimetière du Montparnasse : Paris, FR

These are just a couple of photos I took in this very famous Parisian cemetery, wherein are buried some of France's most notables. Namely: Frédéric Bartholdi, sculpture of the Statue of Liberty; Simone de Beauvoir, feminist and philosopher; André Citroën, founder of France Citroën auto factories; Émile Durkheim, sociologist; Jean-Pierre Rampal, flautist; and Jean-Paul Sartre, philosopher and novelist, among others.

 Stained Glass Crypt Window :
Cimetière du Montparnasse : Paris, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Église Saint-Sulpice

Chapel : Saint Sulpice : Paris, FR

Not long after hooking up with friends Virginia and Mary, we took a couple of side streets and ended up at Saint Sulpice. This 15th century, Romanesque church in the 6th Arrondisement is second only to Notre Dame in size.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Wim Delvoye

Double-helix Crucifix : Wim Delvoye : Musée Rodin : Paris, FR

The Musée Rodin included an exhibit of the works of Belgian neo-conceptual artist Wim Delvoye. He works with metal and constructs Gothic towers, culturally-iconic gates, and new interpretations on religious iconography, among other representations.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Wonderland

Lower gardens : Palace of Versailles : Versailles, FR

The gardens at Versailles are vast and quite beautiful. While I wasn't overly enthusiastic about the view of the landscaping from the ground level on the upper terrace (too much dirt, not enough flowers), I was quite taken by the gardens on the subterranean terrace. They made me think of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, because they were symmetrical, but whimsical.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Hall of Mirrors

The Hall of Mirrors : Palace of Versailles : Versailles, FR

The pièce de résistance of Versailles is the Hall of Mirrors. The Hall's fame comes from the seventeen mirrors that reflect the light streaming in from seventeen windows, which feature a view of the palace's gardens. The Hall was the scene of various royal events during the reigns of Louis the XIV, XV, and XVI. In the last century, the Treaty of Versailles was signed by the Germans in this room. Today, the Hall of Mirrors is occasionally used by the French government for state receptions.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Stately Accomodations

Detail on a Vase : Staterooms : Palace of Versailles : Versailles, FR

At the conclusion of the guided tour, we were then free to wonder through the palace on our own. The self-guided tour includes the staterooms of the King and Queen of France. These are just a few pictures of a handful of rooms open to the public.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Special Tour

Louis the XIV's Blue Dining Room : Versailles, FR

Versailles offers special tours in a variety of languages. We went on the one for English speakers and had an opportunity to see several of Louis the XIV's private rooms, a library, the blue dining room, and the royal opera house.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Gilded Gates of the Sun King

The front gate at the Chateau du Versailles : Versailles, FR

I have a ton of photos from Versailles, so I'm coming back to that for a bit. The main gate at Versailles was really breathtaking. The symbols of Louis the XIV are replete in this gate. The French believed their kings were divinely appointed. The globe with the triple fleur-de-lys is symbolic of the Holy Trinity, while the crown above it symbolizes Louis' divine right. The double L's are his unique stamp.

The gold leafing is new and part of the ongoing restoration work. In the sunlight, this gate and surrounding fences glow and are shining examples of the excesses of the monarchy in that period of history in France.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Goal!

Brazil v Cote d'Ivoire in the World Cup : Eiffel Tower : Paris, FR

The 2010 World Cup was well underway while we were in Paris. A bunch of us met up for a night shoot of the Eiffel Tower. On the grounds of the Trocadero, across from the Eiffel Tower, the City of Paris put up a large screen. On this particular night, it was Brazil versus Cote d'Ivoire. I think Brazil won, 3 to 1.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Dancing on the Rue Moufftard

Parisians gather on the Rue Moufftard on Sunday mornings to dance : Paris, FR

Friend Virginia recommended coming down to the Rue Moufftard to watch Parisians dance at the foot of the weekly farmer's market. Sadly, the weather conspired against us and the musicians and dancers were only out for a little while. Still, it was fun to watch.




Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Rodin / d'Orsay

 Auguste Rodin's The Thinker : Musée Rodin : Paris, FR

Part of the point of the trip to Paris was to meet up with friends. Over my many years of blogging and participating in various email list communities, I've enjoyed meeting some of the people from those venues. This trip included meeting friends Aitch and Jay for the very first time, reconnecting with friend Chanson from Zurich, and having this Paris trip coincide with the visit of fellow photoblogger Virginia of Birmingham Daily Photo and Paris Through My Lens. We also had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with Virginia's friends, Mary, Gennie, and Marie. Today's activities feature a double bill: visits to the Rodin and Orsay Museums.

Nature as Art : Musée Rodin : Paris, FR

It was a lot of fun to see Rodin's work up close and personal, though I must say the building housing these masterpieces is in serious need of restoration. The Orsay, on the other hand, has to be one of the most beautiful buildings I've seen in Paris. Formally the Paris-Orleans train station, it has been restored and repurposed as a museum. Unfortunately, the Musée d'Orsay does not allow photography so I can't show you a personally-taken photo of the amazing clock that hangs over the main hall or Jean-Francoise Millet's The Gleaners (a needlepoint replica of which hung in my late maternal grandmother's home in Green River, Wyoming. It was neat to see, though, and made me think of my grandma and her artistry and love of art.)

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Versailles

New gold leafing highlights the extravagance on the exterior of Versailles : Versailles, FR

On the first full day in Paris, the goal and objective was Versailles. This palace (the French understatedly call it a chateau) was built by Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King (le Roi Soleil). XIV reigned from the age of five until his death just shy of his 77th birthday. To this day, he remains the longest reigning monarch in European history. As an aside, if Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland lives to 98 and remains on the throne until 2024, she'll break XIV's record as longest reigning monarch in Europe. But I digress and this entry really isn't about QEII or XIV. It's about his "chateau" at Versailles.

Just one example of the detail to be seen on the perimeter of the palace : Versailles, FR

According to the official website, Versailles started out as Louis XIII's hunting lodge. Upon ascending the throne, XIV began expanding the lodge into a palace and expansions continued under Louis XV and Louis XVI. Versailles became the seat of French government until 1789 and the return of the royal family to Paris at the beginning of the French Revolution.

Statuary, fountains, and palace : Versailles, FR

In addition to the exquisite interiors, Versailles includes vast gardens and fountains. The palace has been the scene of some significant events in the last three centuries, including a visit by child prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1763), official reception of American statesman Benjamin Franklin (1777), the establishment of the German Empire (1871) and the signing of the peace treaty by Germany at the end of World War I (1919), among other events.

To see more photos of the exterior of this "chateau", check out the slideshow below.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10